At least three individuals lost their lives due to severe flooding caused by intense storms that hit southern France earlier this week. Local authorities have identified the bodies of an elderly couple in the coastal resort of Le Lavandou, where they were swept away by rapidly rising waters while attempting to evacuate their home. Another victim perished in Vidauban after their car drove into a flooded road and fell into a ditch.
The torrential rains have wreaked havoc across the region, resulting in widespread flooding, disrupting public transportation, and causing power and water outages. Reports indicate that two regional trains were halted overnight due to damaged railway tracks. In Le Lavandou, the rain amounted to 256mm per hour, overwhelming the town, approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) from St Tropez.
Officials in Le Lavandou expressed shock over the extent of the natural disaster, with Mayor Gil Bernardi describing "road destruction" and "collapsed bridges." Access to the town continues to be hindered, and many homes remain without electricity.
In the aftermath, emergency services have received over 500 distress calls in the Var region, triggering the mobilization of hundreds of emergency responders. Meanwhile, weather warnings for thunderstorms and flooding were issued, although these were later downgraded. The heavy downpours and hailstorms also affected the railway line between Bordeaux and Toulouse, leading to train cancellations for several days.
